Sport Canterbury’s Green Prescription service is extending its reach in the community through a new partnership with the Tangata Atumotu Trust.

Tangata Atumotu is Canterbury’s longest-standing Pasifika provider, which supports the Pasifika community to lead healthy and independent lives.

According to Carmen Collie, General Manager of Tangata Atumotu Trust, “Tangata Atumotu is delighted to partner with Sport Canterbury in a programme that has the potential to achieve some great health outcomes for our community.”

Sem Lomani is the newest face of the Green Prescription service, representing the partnership of Sport Canterbury and Tangata Atumotu since November 2020. Sem delivers Green Prescription throughout Ōtautahi and is based at Tangata Atumotu.

She believes the key to making a difference for health outcomes in the Pasifika community is developing a relationship with the client.

“For us Pasifika people, building a relationship and trust is very important. We need to be present for them.”
 

Sem works with her clients to develop sustainable lifestyle changes to improve hauora, which might include motivation, physical activity advice and nutritional support. So far, the service has made positive progress and has been well received by the Pasifika community.

Sem joins us after studying Sport and Recreation Management at the New Zealand Institute of Sport, where she gained an internship with Tangata Atumotu.

“When the Green Prescription role came up with Tangata Atumotu Trust, it was in line with what I had been doing as part of my internship, so I went for it.”

Sem currently works 20 hours a week delivering the Green Prescription service and spends the rest of her time studying a Bachelor of Health Promotion at Ara.

As for what drives her in her role, her answer is clear.

“In terms of health statistics, the Pasifika community don’t do well.”

“I would love, even if it’s only a small percentage, for that to change.”

“I’m a real people person, I guess the driving factor is the satisfaction when someone gives good feedback, or when someone says ‘this has changed for me,’ it’s those little changes that give me the most satisfaction,” she adds.

She also speaks fondly of the connections she has already formed with the staff at Sport Canterbury since beginning in November.

“Sport Canterbury have really welcomed me from day one and I’ve felt really connected to everyone.” 

Contact the Tangata Atumotu Trust - https://www.tat.org.nz/contact-us/ 

Find out more about Green Prescription - https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/Green-Prescription-1/For-Participants/For-Participants-1
 

Article added: Monday 01 March 2021